The morning light bled into Luke's bedroom, catching the wool of the floor carpet. Luke was still cocooned in his blanket, sleeping soundly—almost forgetting about the outside world. It was the first time he had slept like this in years.
Luke stirred as the light reached his face, but he didn't get up yet. A moment passed, until footsteps made it outside his door.
Knock, Knock, Knock.
Luke's eyes snapped open as he got up from
his bed, turning his attention to the door. He got off the bed, making his way to open the door. He unlocked the door and turned the handle.
The door fully opened, revealing Miku. She was dressed in a simple T-shirt and black shorts, hugging a plush cat. She stared at him a bit before speaking. "Morning, onii-chan."
"Morning," Luke smiled. "So what's up?" He asked, his eyes meeting hers.
Miku hesitated. "Um…okaa-san wants us down for breakfast and… um… uh… never mind."
Luke raised an eyebrow, noticing Miku squeeze her plushy a little too tight. "Is there something else you want to ask me?" He asked, his voice quiet, but firm.
Miku gave a small nod.
"Okay. Whenever you're ready, Miku."
"Onii-chan, can we hang out?"
'Ah, that's why she was nervous,' Luke thought, his mind trying to remember the last time he had a normal day. 'Hmm, when was the last time we spent a day together? Well, no better time than today.'
Luke crouched in front of her, meeting her eyes. He put a hand over her head, patting it softly. "Yeah, let's do it.
Miku's eyes widened. "R-Really? You want to…hang out ?"
Luke nodded.
"This is the best Saturday ever!" She shouted, unable to contain herself.
"Alright, calm down, Miku. Come on, it's time for breakfast," Luke said as he left the bedroom, heading downstairs. Miku closed his bedroom door, quickly following him.
Luke and Miku walked into the kitchen and the smell of omelette rice filled their nostrils. Luke noticed Sora sat at the counter, dressed in a simple white shirt and black skirt. Her hair was tied in a ponytail that reached her hip. She briefly stopped sipping her tea and turned to her children.
"Good morning," Luke said calmly, sitting down at the table.
Sora gave a faint smile, "good morning, Luke."
Miku went to the counter, giving Sora a hug. "Good morning! Okaa-san."
"Good morning, my little kitten," Sora greeted, gently stroking her magenta tipped sidelocks as she hugged her. "What's with all the excitement?"
"Onii-chan and I are going to have fun together."
Sora blinked once."...Really?"
Luke nodded.
For just a moment, something softened in her expression. It wasn't surprise so much as relief.
"It's been a while," she said gently. "I was beginning to think your weekends had forgotten where home was."
Luke scratched the back of his head.
"...Sorry."
She smiled and shook her head. "Don't apologize. Just come back with your sister smiling."
Luke looked at his mother for a moment before giving a small nod.
"...Yeah."
It wasn't a promise he made lightly. It was a reminder that this day was just as important to him as it was to Miku.
Miku finally pulled away from Sora, sitting on her chair. She picked up her spoon and started eating her breakfast.
Luke stared at Miku. He noticed her pace quicken every time she put the spoon to her mouth. He sighed, sliding a glass of water toward her.
"Easy there, kitten," he teased, "we don't want you choking out of excitement."
Miku took the glass, drinking the water. Her throat finally relaxed. She exhaled. "I'm excited. "
"So what's the plan? If you don't mind me asking."
"It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, onii-chan."
Luke laughed nervously. "Is it too late to back out?"
"Probably." Sora chimed, getting up from the counter. She turned her attention to Luke, "I'm heading out for a bit, so could you handle dinner for me?"
Luke nodded.
Sora took her keys and went to the front door, leaving Luke with Miku.
Luke finished eating. He washed his plate and dried it, after that, he went upstairs. "Miku.I'm going to get ready," he said.
"Right behind you onii-chan," Miku answered as she cleaned her plate.
◇ ◇ ◇
Downtown Seishu was already alive. Weekend shoppers drifted between cafés and clothing stores while children chased each other beneath rows of colourful banners. Music spilled from storefront speakers, mixing with the scent of fresh bread and roasted coffee.
Luke and Miku walked through the lively streets, hearing the sound of music and civilians. Miku walked ahead, dressed in a pink oversized hoodie with cat designs, a black skirt, and pink sneakers with tiny cat charms.
Luke wore a simple zip up sweatshirt with a horizontal green-red-green stripe over his chest, black jeans, and black Vans sneakers. He glanced at Miku before speaking, "so, are you going to give me a hint or what?"
He walked a few steps behind her, hands tucked into his sweatshirt pockets. For once, he wasn't scanning rooftops or watching reflections in shop windows. He was simply following his little sister.
Miku turned to face him, her expression pouty. "Jeez onii-chan, relax a bit. It's no fun if you keep asking."
"Fine," he conceded as he quickened his steps, walking beside her. "But, it better be as fun as you say."
"Don't worry onii-chan. It will be fun! Count on it."
"Okay. Lead the way, kitten."
Miku let out a giggle as he took Luke's hand, leading him to wherever she wanted to go. 'It's gonna be a long day, but worth it if she's happy.' Luke thought as a smile formed on his lips.
They wandered through Seishu's shopping district for most of the morning. Miku stopped in front of nearly every storefront, dragging Luke from a bookstore to a stationery shop before insisting they visit an arcade. Luke complained the entire time, yet somehow ended up carrying two shopping bags and a cat-shaped keychain he swore he hadn't agreed to buy.
◇ ◇ ◇
The arcade greeted them with flashing lights, electronic jingles, and the constant chorus of victory chimes.
Miku stopped just inside the entrance, her magenta eyes sparkling as she looked around the packed arcade. It was loud, colourful, and completely alive.
She turned on her heel, pointing dramatically toward the rows of machines. "Rule number one, onii-chan."
Luke raised an eyebrow. "There are rules?"
"Yep." She held up one finger. "No saying you're too old."
"I'm almost eighteen."
"Exactly. Ancient."
Luke let out a tired sigh. "I'm beginning to regret agreeing to this."
"Too late!" Miku grabbed his wrist before he could protest. "Come on!"
Miku dragged him between rows of machines, each one louder than the last. Racing games blared from one corner while claw machines chimed endlessly from another. Children celebrated tiny victories, teenagers laughed over rhythm games, and somewhere in the back someone groaned after losing a fighting game.
Luke glanced around, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"...It's louder than I expected."
Miku grinned. "That's the point."
Miku brought him toward a racing game as she smirked. "First stop! Hope you can drive onii-chan!"
Luke blinked. "Really? This game?"
"You scared, onii-chan?"
"Not really, but… you sure you can handle it?" He challenged, stepping in the right seat as he took the wheel.
Miku sat in the other seat, putting in the token to start the game. She glanced at Luke. "Ready to lose, Onii-chan? "
Luke shrugged. "If you say so."
Miku grinned as the timer reached zero.
"Three. Two. One. Go!"
The arcade speakers roared as their karts shot off the starting line, Miku taking an early lead with a triumphant laugh.
The next minute became a blur of sharp turns, drifting tyres, and Miku's constant trash talk. Luke quietly caught up after the first lap, slipping past her on the final corner while she was busy celebrating too early.
"No way!" Miku protested, her face puzzled. "How'd you do that?!"
Luke let go of the wheel as he smiled, "you were celebrating too early. Simple."
"Rematch. Now."
"Well, it looks like a little kitty cat can't take a simple loss, can she?"
Miku puffed her cheeks. "No fair! You were holding back!"
Luke laughed at her comment, barely containing himself. "Come on, it wasn't that bad." He finally stopped, "alright, one more race."
The rematch went no better for Miku. By the end of their third race, she'd declared the machine was biased against younger sisters, while Luke insisted the game had simply rewarded patience.
After Miku stopped complaining, she dragged Luke across the arcade to the claw machines.
Miku paused by the one with the wearable cat plushies. She put in the token and the machine lit up.
Luke raised an eyebrow, "aren't these things supposed to be rigged?"
"Don't worry, I got this! Watch and learn, onii-chan," Miku said, giving him a tiny smirk.
Luke watched Miku control the claw, carefully positioning it near the top plush. Miku stayed focused, pressing the grab button. The claw grabbed two plushies.
"Go for it," Luke cheered.
Miku moved the claw to the drop chute. She pressed the button, but both plushies failed to fall in leaving one at the edge.
"What! No fair!" Miku protested as she banged on the glass childishly.
Luke chuckled softly. "I watched. And I've learned, it's rigged."
"You do it then, onii-chan"
Luke stepped up to the claw machine, inserting the token. He looked at the plush on the edge of the prize chute. "Okay let's see if this works," he muttered as he started moving the claw. He lowered it near the plush on the prize chute.
Miku tilted her head. "What are you doing?" She asked, puzzled by what Luke was doing.
Luke pressed the grab button and the claw opened, pushing the plush into the prize chute.
WINNER!
Miku stared at the plush in disbelief. "No way..."
Luke shrugged, lifting the cat plush from the prize chute.
"Guess it wasn't completely rigged."
"...You practiced this, didn't you?"
"First time."
"You're banned."
Luke laughed. "Pretty sure that's not how arcades work." He put the plush on Miku's head as he smiled at her, "can you forgive me now?"
"Fine, only because I like cats," Miku said playfully, taking Luke's hand to the next game.
After another hour wandering through the arcade, their pockets were nearly empty of tokens and Miku's stomach growled loud enough for both of them to hear.
Miku froze, both hands immediately covering her stomach. "...You didn't hear that."
Luke looked at her for a second before letting out a quiet laugh. "Pretty sure the entire arcade heard it."
Miku's cheeks flushed pink. "I'm blaming the racing games."
"Of course you are."
Luke glanced around the crowded arcade before looking toward the exit. The flashing lights and electronic jingles suddenly felt a little less exciting now that their tokens were gone.
"Come on," he said. "Let's find something to eat."
Miku's eyes lit up again. "My treat?"
Luke raised an eyebrow. "With what money?"
"...Good point."
They stepped out of the arcade into the warm afternoon air. The noise of the machines faded behind them, replaced by the sounds of weekend traffic, conversations, and the aroma of food drifting from the restaurants lining the street. Miku slowed her pace, scanning the storefronts with renewed determination. Finding lunch had suddenly become her next mission.
Luke followed as Miku pointed to a diner across the street. Miku led him into the diner, smelling faintly of coffee and fried food. "So, what would the little kitten like?"
Miku grinned. "It's a secret."
"It's omurice, isn't it?"
"You know me too well, onii-chan."
They walked over to an empty booth at the edge of the diner. They sat down, taking out their phones, waiting for a server. Luke browsed through his notes for a bit while Miku scrolled through social media.
After a few minutes, a waitress came up to their booth. She was dressed smartly with her pink hair tied in a ponytail. "So, are you two ready to order?" She asked, her voice cheerful with a polite tone.
Miku chimed, "I'll have omurice and a melon soda, and he'll have a hamburger steak with an iced barley tea. Boooring.
"Boring? At least I'll be done while you're still taking pictures of your food." Luke shot back.
The waitress wrote down their orders before speaking, "anything else?"
"We're good, thanks." Miku said.
"Alright, I'll be back in a few minutes," the waitress said, heading to the kitchen.
Miku set her phone on the table, glancing at Luke. She tapped her fingers over the table before opening her mouth.
"Hey, onii-chan?"
Luke looked up from his phone. "What's up?"
Miku hesitated. "Do you… like Seishu?"
Luke froze at her question. His grip tightened around the phone. Lamina's voice echoed into his head for a fraction and stopped. Luke closed his eyes for a moment then opened them, finally facing Miku.
"What makes you think I don't?" He asked, his voice calm as he tapped his phone screen.
"Well… you come home exhausted, look out the window every time, and… you've never smiled like this."
"Fair enough."
"So, do you like Seishu?"
Luke looked around the diner, noticing people talking, a waiter serving food and the simple upbeat music playing in the background. He finally looked back at Miku.
"Yeah."
Miku blinked. "Yeah?"
Luke shrugged. "It's alright."
"That's all?"
"What did you expect?"
"I don't know. Something more."
Luke looked down at his drink for a moment, watching the ice shift beneath the surface.
"I guess I just... didn't think I'd get used to it this quickly."
Miku stared at him. Then, slowly, she smiled.
"Well, you better get used to it."
Luke raised an eyebrow. "Is that an order?"
"Yep."
"Bossy little sister."
"Yep."
Luke shook his head, but the smile remained.
The waitress returned with their food, setting the plates down between them. Miku immediately picked up her spoon, while Luke glanced through the window beside their booth.
Outside, Seishu continued moving.
People crossed the streets. Cars passed by. A couple laughed outside a café. Somewhere in the distance, a child was complaining to his mother about wanting ice cream.
Nothing was happening. No alarms. No hostile signatures. No Vatican agents. No monsters.
Just life.
Luke leaned back against the booth and let himself breathe. For once, he didn't need to watch the windows.
◇ ◇ ◇
Vianne watched from across the street.
Her headphones rested around her neck, her phone held loosely in one hand as she leaned against the side of a storefront.
Through the diner window, she could see Luke and Miku sitting together.
She had expected him to spend the afternoon checking his surroundings.
He hadn't.
She had expected him to keep scanning for threats.
He barely had.
Instead, he'd spent most of the day letting his sister drag him from one shop to another.
He'd carried her bags.
Lost to her at one game.
Beaten her at another.
And, judging by the cat plush sitting beside Miku, apparently conquered a claw machine.
Vianne's lips curved slightly. "Who would've thought?"
She glanced down at her phone. The tracking spell was still active, but Luke's covenant ring remained stable.
No hostile movement had been detected around him.
Everything was normal.
Almost too normal.
Vianne looked back through the window.
Luke laughed at something Miku said. It wasn't the tired smile he'd worn around the clubroom.
It wasn't the practiced smirk he'd used whenever someone asked too many questions.
It was genuine.
For a moment, Vianne stopped smiling.
She understood something then.
Luke wasn't simply protecting Seishu because it was strategically important. He was protecting it because he had finally found something here that he didn't want to lose.
She lowered her phone.
"So that's what this place means to you, huh, Luke-kun?"
The words disappeared beneath the noise of passing traffic. Vianne pushed herself away from the storefront. She had been ordered to watch him. That was all.
At least, that was what she told herself.
She glanced back one last time before walking away. "Better enjoy your Saturday, Luke-kun."
Her expression softened.
"Because something tells me it won't stay normal for long."
◇ ◇ ◇